Regular flossing can reduce stroke risk by 44%

A US study, spanning a quarter of a century, has yielded surprising results.

Flossing at least once a week can reduce the risk of stroke and heart rhythm disorders, according to the American Heart Association.

The results of this large-scale, long-term study will be presented at the International Stroke Conference in Los Angeles (USA) from February 5th to 7th, 2025. The data is considered preliminary until it is published in a peer-reviewed journal.

"I wouldn't say that flossing is the only thing you need to do for stroke prevention, but it should be considered as part of a healthy lifestyle," said lead author Suvik Sen, professor and chair of neurology at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

He explained that previous studies have shown a link between oral health and damage to the white matter and small blood vessels of the brain, as well as the buildup of plaque in the arteries that supply blood to the brain. The new study included 6,278 participants who were monitored for 25 years.

Researchers took into account blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol levels, smoking habits, body mass index, and the regularity of tooth brushing and dental visits. Over the quarter-century period, 434 participants experienced strokes, and 1,291 were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. It turned out that people who flossed had a 22% lower risk of ischemic stroke, a 44% lower risk of cardioembolic stroke, and a 12% lower chance of atrial fibrillation than those who did not practice this hygiene procedure.

"Flossing reduces oral infections and gum disease, which are associated with inflammation that can contribute to the risk of stroke," said Suvik Sen.

Gum inflammation can occur due to trapped food particles and lead to a systemic inflammatory process that can affect the health of blood vessels. According to doctors, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep are already known factors for stroke prevention. The new study shows that good dental health also matters, while people often neglect oral hygiene. Scientists emphasized that while visiting a dentist can be expensive, regular flossing is an affordable and beneficial habit for both oral and cardiovascular health.

Stroke is a sudden disruption of normal blood supply to the brain, accompanied by tissue death and impaired nervous system functions. Stroke is called the second most frequent "killer" of people worldwide (according to the World Health Organization). People who have suffered a stroke face a number of challenges on the road to recovery, and not everyone manages to return to a full life.

Earlier it was found that forced awakening increases blood pressure. As a result, the risk of heart attack and stroke increases. During a study conducted at the University of Virginia in the United States, 32 volunteers wore smartwatches and finger cuffs for two days so that the author of the experiment, Ensu Kim, could measure their blood pressure.

On the first day, participants woke up on their own, without an alarm clock, and on the second day, the respondents were awakened by its ringing. It turned out that during awakening by an alarm clock, blood pressure was 74% higher than at the moment of independent exit from a state of sleep. This indicates that forced awakening, especially if you managed to get little sleep before that, causes a jump in blood pressure, and therefore, a person is exposed to an increased risk of stroke or heart attack.